the zero was 2,000 pounds lighter than the p-40. that alone would have made japanese pilots worried.

but just as american pilots developed tactics to disadvantage the zeros, it did not result in a massacre for the zekes. there were zero techniques to counter diving passes from up high, underbelly sneaks, sudden diving attacks from the direction of the sun, even attacks from behind by faster planes like the hellcat or the mustang. pilot skill and experience was too big a factor then.